The Meet

South Dakota men's and women's cross country races at the Platte River Rumble at 1 p.m. Friday in Ashland, Nebraska. The inaugural event, hosted by the Omaha Sports Commission in partnership with UNO and Creighton, will take place at Mahoney State Park with the women's 6,000 meters at 1 p.m. and the men's 8,000 meters to follow at 1:45 p.m.
 

The Coyotes

South Dakota is coming off a pair of meets with large, nationally ranked fields. Last time out at Mizzou's Gans Creek Classic, fifth-year senior Merga Gemeda and third-year sophomore Abrielle Jirele clocked the fastest times in the Summit this fall. Both garnered the Summit League Peak Performer of the Week award for their performances. Gemeda posted an 8,000-meter time of 24:05.5, which ranks sixth all-time in league history and is the fastest mark by a Coyote in the Division I era. Jirele clocked a 6,000-meter time of 20:54.6, taking more than 30 seconds off her personal best and posting the eighth-fastest time by a Coyote in the Division I era. This Friday serves as a final tune-up for the Coyotes ahead of the championship slate later this fall.
 

The Competition

There are 14 teams in the field, including five Division I squads. The Coyotes will be facing Summit foe Omaha, Creighton, Nebraska and Missouri State in the Division I field.
 

One Last Thing

The inaugural event takes place within the grounds of Mahoney State Park. A park permit is required for entry. Entry into the park is $6 per vehicle for Nebraska residents and $12 per vehicle for out-of-state residents.